The BIS (tm) product, US Patent 3,991,304 and related copyright on the display means, is the core technology which has been in use since 1978. This has led to a number of other products and intellectual property development not disclosed in this product list.
By using menu selection, a precise computer generated visual analog of breath Volume versus Time is generated. A blinking cursor moves along the programmed analog to prompt the patient, and the patient's real time breathing performance is displayed. Patient performance error is indicated above or below the programmed visual analog, and therefore the patient is given a visual biofeedback prompt to correct breathing performance. Additional auditory prompting is available. As an option, defined plus and minus error limits may be employed for quality control means. Ease of use and efficient patient training and breathing modification has been demonstrated.
Biofeedback Incentive System ("BIS") (tm)
Correct Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) use is crucial for efficient delivery of aerosol medication. This product permits aerosol delivery within a defined starting lung volume, and then displays a fully programmable MDI inspiration breath. Inspiratory flow control to defined full lung volume, breath holding time, and a controlled expiration breath are displayed, with visual biofeedback prompting throughout. MDI
activation is sensed and visually displayed to monitor and teach correct MDI activation timing.
Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) Trainer
Trade Secret, possible patent pending. This device provides a simple and accurate direct indication of inspiratory flow rate during MDI use, and visual biofeedback means to optimize this critical parameter, in addition to other features.
MDI Inspiration Control Device
The measurement of dyspnea (shortness of breath) has been a major problem in pulmonary medicine, as the dyspnea sensation is subjective and depends on accurate patient reporting. The DPS provides a highly standardized method of respiratory stress, to unmask the patient's perception of dyspnea. Multiple applications are possible, but the test is targeted at the Asthmatic population, to reveal those patients with diminished dyspnea perception, and who therefore are at risk of unexpected serious or even potentially fatal asthma attacks.
Weaning patients from ventilator support is a major problem for every Intensive Care Unit. The longer a patient is on a ventilator the greater the risk of complications, and the greater the prohibitive expense of the typical ICU. This invention addresses that problem, and in addition provides a patient monitoring system to insure safety during this frequently hazardous procedure. The patient's spontaneous ventilatory effort is stressed maximally in a controlled manner to hasten the weaning process. The system works for either the spontaneously breathing patient, or the patient under partial ventilatory assist. In addition, the monitoring system could be used in those critically ill patients with failing ventilation, who are potential candidates for intubation and controlled ventilation.
This system could also be used to advantage for patients undergoing external Non Invasive Ventilation, to directly evaluate their ventilation adequacy, and to assist the patient in coordinating their breathing efforts with the ventilator.
Ventilator Weaning System
This device is a simple portable respiration prompter that indicates the beginning of inspiration and expiration by a flashing Light Emitting Diode (LED) and an optional "beep" sound. The first "beep" (high pitched) indicating inspiration is also signalling the overall respiratory rate. The second "beep" (low pitched) indicating expiration is independently adjustable, i.e. the relative lengths of inspiration and expiration times may be controlled. In addition there is a manual override button that prolongs the expiratory by 25%, therefore making it ideal for the COPD / Emphysema / Asthma patient and for Hyperventilation Syndrome control.
The device can be used as a stand-alone device in any respiratory therapy program where the breathing rate needs to be controlled. However, it is best used in conjunction with the Biofeedback Incentive System tm which also has optional sound prompting. While learning complex breathing pattern modifications with the BIS tm visual biofeedback trainer, the patient is also learning the timing signals.
The breakthrough discovery here is the triggering of complex learned breathing patterns by the simple audio-visual timing signal of the prompting device. Essentially therefore, a simple device is transferring high technology into the home and work environment.
This invention has been granted a US patent "Respiratory timing and lung deflation method and device," patent number 6,626,843.
Portable Respiration Prompting Device
This is a simple, yet sophisticated, visual breathing pattern prompter designed mainly for individual home use. It appears essentially the same as the download LabVIEW version of the Biofeedback Incentive System tm on this web site, but without the subject real time breathing signal.
It is designed as a multipurpose prompter for a wide variety of breathing training applications. These would include such applications as Yoga breathing, Stress Reduction breathing (including Sleep Induction and Blood Pressure reduction), Meditation breathing, athlete and COPD Inspiratory Muscle Training, Hyperventialtion Syndrome and Panic Attack control, and Dyspnea Control in COPD, Emphysema and Asthma (secondary to Dynamic Hyperinflation).
The program runs on the Windows operating system. To encourage widespread use the program is offered at only $24.95 through Breathing Control Associates.
Details may be seen at Breathing Trainer v1.0
A number of other confidential products are briefly described.
Other Products